Suva, Dec 23 (NationPress) Fiji Airways has resumed its commercial passenger flights to Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu, as of Monday, following a temporary suspension due to the 7.3 magnitude earthquake that occurred on December 17.

The airline reported that the flight carried 98 passengers, which included a Fiji government relief team, returning nationals from Vanuatu, residents, and humanitarian workers, along with a cargo of essential relief supplies.

A Fiji Airways ground crew was also on board to assist with the aircraft's servicing at Port Vila and to facilitate its return journey.

The national airline of Fiji resumed its regular flight schedule on Monday afternoon, with additional flights planned for Tuesday, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.

The earthquake that struck Vanuatu last week resulted in at least 14 fatalities, over 200 injuries, and extensive destruction, including flattened homes and damaged vehicles.

A military team from Fiji was dispatched to Vanuatu as part of the nation's commitment to assist neighboring countries in times of distress, demonstrating solidarity with Vanuatu during its recovery efforts post-earthquake.

On December 21, Port Vila International Airport announced it would resume commercial airline operations on Sunday, following the suspension tied to the earthquake.

Airports Vanuatu Limited, which manages Port Vila International Airport, shared this update on Saturday through its social media platforms.

The company urged stranded travelers both in Vanuatu and overseas to reach out to their respective airlines to verify their travel arrangements.

"Our certified aviation infrastructure engineers have conducted a comprehensive inspection of all airport pavements and confirmed them as safe for operations, having sustained no damage from the recent earthquake," stated Airports Vanuatu, adding that aviation fuel at Port Vila Airport has also been deemed uncontaminated based on evaluations by fuel specialists.

The catastrophic earthquake has resulted in numerous casualties, with over 200 individuals injured.

Airports Vanuatu mentioned that the capital city, Port Vila, is still undergoing recovery from the devastating earthquake, with ongoing issues related to utilities, communications, and other essential services.